Experimental Studies on Fluosol Da Administration in Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

Therapeutic use of the perfluorochemical emulsion, Fluosol DA, in acute pancreatitis was experimentally discussed in view of maintaining the local blood flow and oxygen supply in the pancreas to avoid further aggravation of pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced by deoxycholate injection into the pancreatic duct in adult mongrel dogs. Fluosol DA or 6% hydroxyethylstarch (HES) solution as control was transfused at 20 ml/kg/hour for the first 3 hours.

Fluosol DA and HES solution improved the depressed cardiac output and pancreatic blood flow to normal levels. Compared with HES solution, Fluosol DA administration revealed a prominent increase in oxygen tension in the pancreatic tissue, which had decreased severely from onset of pancreatitis. Fluosol DA administration brought about better preservation of pancreatic mitochondrial functions.

Despite no significant differences in blood levels of other pancreatic enzymes between Fluosol DA and HES solution, the sharp decrease in plasma postheparin phospholipase A2 suggested the protection of involved systemic organs including pancreas.

Thus, maintaining pancreatic blood flow and increasing the oxygen transport by Fluosol DA administration seemed to play a positive role in inhibiting the progress of pancreatitis, though improvement of survival rate in acute pancreatitis was incomplete by Fluosol DA administration alone.